Despite the onset of winter and the decrease in hours of daylight, October is a month with the highest number of recorded species, with a grand total of 212. Rarities have included records of Black-necked Grebe (1996,2015), Red-footed Falcon (2014), Long-billed Dowitcher (1977), Lesser Yellowlegs (1984), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Red-necked Phalarope (2001), American Golden Plover (2013), Black Guillemot (1998), Bearded Tits (2012), Yellow-browed Warbler (2001,2013, 2015,2016) and Red-throated Pipit (2015). Other national and local rarities recorded include Glossy Ibis (2009), Ring-billed Gull, Spoonbills, Cattle Egret (2019, 2020), Great White Egrets (2016, 2019, 2020, 2021), Cranes (2016), Whooper Swans, Mandarin (2017), Roseate Tern, Hooded Crow, Dartford Warbler, Montagu’s Harrier (1991), Hen Harrier, Ring Ouzel, Shorelark, Woodlark, Mealy Redpoll, Common Rosefinch (2017), Firecrest, Hawfinch and Common Crossbill.
October 2021
31st October
A wet and very windy end to the month. A Leach’s Petrel (at 16.45), a flock of at least 80 Kittiwakes, 5 Pintail, 150 Turnstones and 30 Dunlin were seen from Severn Beach. A very brief visit to windswept New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced just 200 Canada Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, a Little Egret, 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Lapwing and 250 Dunlin. The 4 Short-eared Owls were reported again at Aust Warth.
30th October
A very wet start to the day. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 80 Redshank, 250 Dunlin, 100+ Lapwing, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 26 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 200 Teal, 4 Little Grebes, a Kestrel and a Stonechat. A Red Kite drifted South over New Passage. A flock of 134 Turnstones were reported at Severn Beach. Four Short-eared Owls were seen again hunting over Aust Warth and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard here.
29th October
A windy and wet day. A record sized flock of c.150 Common Scoter were seen from New Passage as they were flushed and then flew down river. Other reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included the female Merlin, 200+ Canada Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 240+ Teal, 19 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 350+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Redshank, 300+ Dunlin, 97 Lapwing, a Kestrel and 70+ Linnets. Four Short-eared Owls were watched hunting over Aust Warth/Northwick Warth late afternoon (viewed from the Old Passage end). At least 130 Turnstones, 20 Ringed Plover, 50 Curlew, 10 Dunlin and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 29.10.21 © Matthew Hall
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 29.10.21 © Matthew Hall
28th October
A Short-eared Owl hunting over Northwick Warth, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Knot, 10 Grey Plover, 134 Turnstones, 150 Redshank, 250+ Wigeon and a Peregrine were seen from New Passage. Another 45 Wigeon, 40 Curlew, 24 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 110 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets and a Rock Pipit were seen from Severn Beach.
27th October
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrines, 550 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Knot, 3 Grey Plover, 14 Ringed Plover, 500+ Dunlin, 150 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 50 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 15 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, a Pintail, 80 Teal, 240 Wigeon, 2 Rock Pipits and a Stonechat. At least 90 Turnstones and 20 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach.
Merlin, New Passage 27.10.21 © Matthew Hall
26th October
A Short-eared Owl was seen at 09.45 hunting near the Flash on Northwick Warth. Other sightings from here and Pilning Wetland included 700+ Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Grey Plover, 700+ Dunlin, 250 Redshank, 75 Curlew, 109 Lapwing, 40+ Oystercatchers, 16 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 206 Canada Geese, 220 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler. 18 Gadwall, 60 Teal, 75 Mallard, 3 Little Grebes, 450+ Black-headed Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, 100+ Linnets, single Peregrine, Merlin and Stonechat. Another 2 Little Egrets, 57 Curlew, a Lapwing, 5 Wigeon and 20 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach.
Stonechat, Pilning Wetland 26.10.21
25th October
A day of sunshine and showers. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 650+ Dunlin, 250+ Redshank, 80+ Lapwing, 150+ Oystercatchers, 19 Ringed Plover, 97 Canada Geese, 320+ Wigeon, 50 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, single Merlin, Kestrel and Kingfisher, 100+ Linnets and 23 Collared Doves. A Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon and 2 Teal were seen at Severn Beach.
24th October
A day that started with some torrential rain showers. Sightings from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland included a cream crowned Marsh Harrier (present all day), a female Merlin, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 350+ Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plover, 500+ Dunlin, 150+ Redshank, 50 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 20 Turnstones, 90+ Lapwing, 150 Canada Geese, 300 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 90 Teal, 2 Rock Pipits, singe Raven and Kestrel. Two Short-eared Owls were seen hunting Northwick Warth/Aust Warth, viewed distantly from New Passage due to the closure of the footpath between New Passage and Aust Cliff. Click Here for a short Youtube video of the Mediterranean Gull.
Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 24.10.21
Marsh Harrier and Lapwings, Pilning Wetland 24.10.21
23rd October
A morning high tide visit to New Passage produced a roosting flock of 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 300+ Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 40+ Knot, 12 Grey Plover, 280+ Wigeon and 100 Canada Geese. A Little Egret and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach.
22nd October
Highlights from the Northwick Warth area this afternoon included hunting Short-eared Owl, male Marsh Harrier, female Merlin, 200+ Redshank, 100 Lapwing, 450 Dunlin, 270+ Wigeon, 90 Teal, 13 Shoveler and at least 100 Canada Geese.
21st October
A brief scan from New Passage on the falling tide produced 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 500 Dunlin, 190 Redshank, a few Knot and Grey Plover, 300+ Wigeon, 100 Canada Geese, a Greylag and a Little Egret.
20th October
Another windy day following a very wet night. Reports from the New Passage area included a late Common Sandpiper, 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 600 Dunlin, 260 Redshank, 62 Curlew, a Grey Plover, 5 Snipe, 76 Lapwing, 50+ Oystercatchers, 100 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 320 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 100+ Linnets and a Peregrine.
19th Otcober
A breezy, grey and wet day. Combined reports from New Passage included 650+ Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Knot, 9 Grey Plover, 150 Redshank, 87 Lapwing, 105 Oystercatchers, 3 Grey Herons, 280 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 80 Canada Geese and 80 Linnets.
18th October
A brief visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced much of the same including 700+ Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Knot, 9 Grey Plover, 650+ Dunlin, 160 Redshank, 104 Lapwing, 50+ Snipe, 250+ Wigeon, 230 Teal, 90 Canada Geese, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and a Stonechat.
17th October
A few new arrivals today. Sightings from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 95 Canada Geese, 240 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 18 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 700+ Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, 700 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 7 Grey Plover, 61 Knot, 24 Snipe, 98 Lapwing, 80 Turnstones, single Merlin, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting the South end of Aust Warth at 17.30.
Brent Geese, New Passage 17.10.21
16th October
Combined reports from New Passage included a Great Crested Grebe, 650+ Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plover, 55 Knot, 130 Turnstones, 12 Curlew, 740 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 180 Wigeon, 90 Canada Geese and a Little Egret. At least 16 Little Egrets, 50 Shelduck, 100 Curlew, 3 Grey Plover, 25 Ringed Plover, a Wheatear and a Rock Pipit were seen from Severn Beach. Visible migrants reported over Aust Cliff this morning included 203 Redwing, 33 Skylarks, 20 Song Thrush, 145 Chaffinch, 78 Siskins, 4 Redpoll and a Brambling. Nearby at what will be Aust Wetland when construction is completed were 2 Stonechats and a Snipe.
15th October
Much of the same today with the large flock of Black-tailed Godwits still present distantly at the North end of Northwick Warth. Other reports from here and Pilning Wetland involved 50+ Knot, 9 Grey Plover, 750+ Dunlin, 180 Redshank, 80 Turnstones, 85 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 180 Wigeon, 120 Canada Geese, a Kingfisher and a Rock Pipit.
14th October
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included a record count of 742 Black-tailed Godwits (including a colour ringed individual), 6 Grey Plover, 64 Knot, 850 Dunlin, 100 Turnstones, 200 Redshank, 85 Lapwing, 19 Snipe, a Great Black-backed Gull, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 120 Canada Geese, 120 Wigeon, 17 Shoveler and a Merlin. Another 50 Turnstones and 20 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach. Highlights of visible migration over Aust Services/Cliff this morning were a female Marsh Harrier, 3345 Redwings, 5 Siskins, a Brambling and a Yellowhammer.
Update; here is the original ringing date and travel history for today’s colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit....
EY76579 N R+GB 15-Oct-13 Farlington Marshes LNR, Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 02-Dec-13 Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve, Arun Valley, West Sussex, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 18-Feb-15 Titchfield Haven NNR, Fareham, Hampshire, S England.
EY76579 S R+GB 20-Jul-16 Farlington Marshes LNR, Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 02-Jan-17 Titchfield Haven NNR, Fareham, Hampshire, S England.
EY76579 S R+GB 17-Jul-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 02-Aug-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 10-Aug-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 14-Aug-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 18-Aug-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 25-Sep-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 28-Sep-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 08-Oct-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 13-Oct-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 23-Oct-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 27-Oct-18 Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, SE England
EY76579 S R+GB 04-Jan-19 NOYALO, Route du Pont, Morbihan, Vannes, Brittany, France
EY76579 S R+GB 21-Oct-19 Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 07-Nov-19 Northney, Hayling Island, Chichester Harbour, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 10-Mar-20 Titchfield Haven NNR, Fareham, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 11-Mar-20 Titchfield Haven NNR, Fareham, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 13-Mar-20 Titchfield Haven NNR, Fareham, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 15-Mar-20 Titchfield Haven NNR, Fareham, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 15-Aug-20 Goldcliff lagoons NNR, Newport, Gwent, Wales
EY76579 S R+GB 20-Aug-20 Goldcliff lagoons NNR, Newport, Gwent, Wales
EY76579 S R+GB 22-Aug-20 Goldcliff lagoons NNR, Newport, Gwent, Wales
EY76579 S R+GB 17-Sep-20 Goldcliff lagoons NNR, Newport, Gwent, Wales
EY76579 S R+GB 18-Sep-20 Goldcliff lagoons NNR, Newport, Gwent, Wales
EY76579 S R+GB 16-Nov-20 Slimbridge WWT reserve, Severn Estuary, Glocustershire, W England
EY76579 S R+GB 25-Nov-20 Slimbridge WWT reserve, Severn Estuary, Glocustershire, W England
EY76579 S R+GB 25-Jan-21 Titchfield Abbey, Meon Valley, Fareham, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 10-Feb-21 Titchfield Abbey, Meon Valley, Fareham, Hampshire, S England
EY76579 S R+GB 14-Oct-21 New Passage, Severn Estuary, Gloucestershire, W England
Black-tailed Godwit, New Passage 14.10.21
Lapwings, Pilning Wetland 14.10.21
13th October
A visit to Pilning Wetland/ New Passage produced 420+ Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 80 Lapwing, 500 Dunlin, 10 Knot, 4 Snipe, 30 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 25 Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 140 Teal, 120 Canada Geese and a hunting Sparrowhawk. At least 60 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach. Click Here for a short Youtube Video of the roosting waders at Pilning Wetland.
Wader roost, Pilning Wetland 13.10.21
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 13.10.21
Wader flock during Sparrowhawk attack, Pilning Wetland 13.10.21
12th October
Another with a lot of waders. At least 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 32 Knot, 9+ Grey Plover, 550 Dunlin, 200 Redshank, 80 Lapwing, 60 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 112 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 110 Teal and a Sparrowhawk were reported in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Another 5 Little Egrets, 110 Turnstones, 16 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 75 Curlew, 12 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, single Wheatear, Stonechat, Kestrel and Grey Wagtail were seen at Severn Beach. Meanwhile, I had a day away in Yorkshire to see what is only Britain’s 3rd record of Long-toed Stint, the last record being 39 years ago.
Long-toed Stint, Swillington, Yorkshire 12.10.21
11th October
A dry but cooler day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included a Great White Egret, 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 130+ Knot, 6 Grey Plover, 350+ Redshank, 700 Dunlin, 117 Snipe, 55 Turnstones, 80 Lapwing, 100+ Oystercatchers, 200+ Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 116 Canada Geese, 150 Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 20 Shelduck, 23 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 66 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 100+ Linnet and a Wheatear. Another 70 Turnstones, 10 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover and 6+ Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
10th October
Another warm and sunny day. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced a Little Stint, a Green Sandpiper, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Lapwing, 110 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 120 Teal and 100+ Wigeon. A Wheatear was seen at Severn Beach.
Little Stint, Pilning Wetland 10.10.21
9th October
A warm and sunny day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Merlin, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ Knot, 350 Dunlin, 120 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 90 Redshank, 65 Lapwing, 10 Snipe, a Golden Plover, a Little Egret, 80 Canada Geese, 28 Shelduck, 100+ Wigeon, 190 Teal, 7 Pintail, 8 Shoveler and 4 Siskins. Another 400 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover and 20 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach. Two singing Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Stonechats, single Kestrel and Peregrine were seen at Aust Warth. Two Harbour Porpoise were seen from New Passage at high tide this morning.
Merlin, Pilning Wetland 9.10.21
8th October
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 2 Grey Plover, 100 Dunlin, 52 Lapwing, 21 Snipe, 100+ Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, 120 Canada Geese, 100+ Wigeon, 300 Teal, 7 Shoveler and a Kestrel. The only reports from Severn Beach were of a late Whitethroat, single Wheatear, Stonechat and Rock Pipit, 6 Little Egrets and 3 Grey Herons.
7th October
A dark-bellied Brent Goose was seen from the sea wall at Severn Beach. Following a very high tide, at least 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Dunlin, 200 Curlew, 190 Oystercatchers, 90 Knot, 190 Redshank, 53 Lapwing, 20 Snipe, a Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 120 Canada Geese, 150 Wigeon, 50 Shelduck, 200+ Teal, 51 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 4 Wheatears, single singing Cetti’s Warbler, Kingfisher, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were reported in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area.
Common Snipe, Pilning Wetland 7.10.21
6th October
A quiet day with just reports of 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Redshank, 100+ Dunlin, 100 Canada Geese, 100+ Wigeon single Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Wheatear reported from New Passage.
5th October
A Little Stint and the mixed flock of 500+ Dunlin/Ringed Plover/Turnstones, 5 Curlew, 8 Shelduck and a Kingfisher were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 40+ Knot, 80+ Redshank, 146 Curlew, 183 Oystercatchers, 45 Canada Geese, 100 Wigeon, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Wheatears.
4th October
A wet morning. The usual 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 40+ Knot, 140 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 100+ Canada Geese, 250 Teal, 120 Wigeon and 3 Wheatears were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
3rd October
Combined reports from Pilning Wtetland/New Passage included a Green Sandpiper, 43 Knot, 295 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Lapwing, 130 Redshank, 15 Snipe, 63 Dunlin, 24 Oystercatchers, 45 Curlew, 3 Grey Heron, 91 Canada Geese, 13 Shoveler, 80 Wigeon, 280 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 125 Mallard, 20 House Martins, 2 Swallows, a Sand Martin, a Yellow Wagtail and 5 Wheatears. A windy evening visit to the Seven Beach wader roost produced at least 600 Dunlin, 45 Ringed Plover and 40 Turnstones.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 3.10.21
2nd October
Another wet and dismal day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Little Stint, 40 Knot, 2 Green Sandpipers, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Redshank 20+ Snipe, 50 Lapwing, 65 Curlew, 12 Ringed Plover, 17 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, a Greylag, 40 Canada Geese, 3 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 120 Wigeon, 360 Teal, 50 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, a Kingfisher, 2 Ravens, 350 House Martins, a Swallow, 8 Chiffchaffs, a Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Wheatears and 400 Linnets.
Little Stint, Pilning Wetland 2.10.21
1st October
A breezy and damp start to the month. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 190 Redshank, 50+ Lapwing, 20 Snipe, 200 Teal, 120 Wigeon and 60 Canada Geese. Just 30 Curlew, 10 Dunlin and a Pintail were reported from Severn Beach in an early afternoon visit.
